Ad Aspera per Aspera Spring 2001 Vol 12 Number 1 Tempus Fugit
Editors:
Grant Clothier 4102 Homestead Drive Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66208
pngclothier@aol.com Tony Clemente
27305 Fairfield Drive Warren, Michigan 48093 tonyceejr@yahoo.com
ARTEMAS
CLOTHIER
Sage of Silver Creek
By Grant Clothier
On 14 September 1786, one year before the Constitutional Convention
met in Philadelphia and approved a charter giving birth to a new nation,
Artemas Clothier was born in Hancock, Massachusetts. He lived more than nine
decades and saw the original 13 states grow to a total of 38, spreading from
the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. He volunteered repeatedly in the War of
1812, saw one son sacrificed for the Union cause in the Civil War and five
grandsons participate in that conflict. He typified the American patriot
of an earlier and more glorious era.
Artemas was the fourth son of Jesse and ??? Hazzard and grew up in
the rugged mountains of Western Massachusetts. In 1806, at the age of 19,
he and his cousin, Norman Spink, found their way on foot across the State
of New York with their pack horses to a settlement later to be named Silver
Creek, on the shore of Lake Erie.
The 17 February 1885 issue of the "North Chautauqua News" recounts
an earlier interview with Norman Spink shortly before his death in 1873:
"... during the first six months they were here they worked for Mr.
Howard for $10.00 per month and board, and through the winter they were in
the woods with their axes and ready to commence work as soon as it was light
enough to see. The following spring each of them took a contract from Mr.
Howard to clear the land suitable for the first crop at a stated price per
acre and the ashes accruing from the burning timber was also
to be theirs. Mr. Spink informed us that during the winter it was his custom
to chop through the day and just before nightfall, gather a quantity of dry
bark or other dry material and start a large fire ... He would then build
a house or shelter of hemlock boughs, would then continue to chop by the
light of his brush fire until he felt the need of rest, and would then replenish
his fire with brush and logs so that it would continue through the night
and retire to his bough house and bed of hemlock leaves. He informed us that
his food through the winter consisted principally of cold roast or boiled
pork and cold corn bread and occasionally a potato or two roasted in the
fire of one of his log piles. Spink and Clothier followed this land clearing
until they had money sufficient to locate and article a farm each for themselves.
"
By 1807 Artemas had saved enough money to purchase a farm, whereupon
he returned to Hancock and married Lucy Tyler on 17 May 1807.
According to Tyler family history, the Tylers were early colonists
to the New World, coming to the Massachusetts Colony in the mid-1600's. They
later migrated to Branford, Connecticut, near New Haven, where Lucy's grandfather,
Benjamin, was born 10 September 1721. He and his young wife moved to Sharon,
Connecticut, some time before 1744 when their first child was born. Samuel
Page Tyler, Lucy's father, was born at Sharon 15 June 1753; later moved to
New Ashford, Massachusetts, about 1769, where he married Esther Hamilton
and where Lucy was born 5 November 1788.
The migration patterns of the two families are interesting. Jeremiah
Clothier came to the Massachusetts Colony in 1662. A John Clothier,
probably his grandson, located in Cornwall, Connecticut, a few miles from
Sharon about 1744, and later moved to Hancock, Massachusetts, near New Ashford
in 1759. Furthermore, Benjamin Tyler and John Clothier, grandparents of Lucy
and Artemas, both served in the Revolutionary War under Captain Asa Barnes
in 1775. It seems reasonable to assume the relationship between the two families
was close and longstanding.
The 6 March 1885 issue of the "North Chautauqua News" provides a
fanciful but largely inaccurate account of events surrounding the marriage
of Artemus and Lucy.
"The Present generation have but a faint idea of the endurance and
hardships their predecessors went through in clearing up the country they
now enjoy. In the fall of 1811, Clothier returned to Berkshire County, Massachusetts,
and spent the winter and was married there the next Spring and very soon
afterward started on his wedding tour back to Chautauqua County. This was
made with one horse, his wife riding on horse back with all their worldly
effects tied upon in a bundle and placed on the back of the horse behind
the rider; and Clothier walking along side with his rifle on his shoulder.
At times they would exchange places with each other for the purpose of resting...
"
Historical records show that Artemas returned to Massachusetts in
early 1807, not 1811, when he and Lucy were married. They did not immediately
set out for Chautauqua County, rather their first son, Samuel was born in
Massachusetts on 27 December 1807, and it was over a year later in 1809 before
they made their arduous trek across the wilderness to Silver Creek. Although
it's doubtful they made the journey on only one horse with their belongings
tied behind the rider, it was, nevertheless, a perilous undertaking. John
Clothier, descendant of Artemas, traced the young family's journey of nearly
400 miles along the route laid out for the Erie Canal, using some water transportation
for themselves, the baby and their packhorses.
Shortly after arriving in Silver Creek, Artemas began building a
house for the young family. A second child, Eliza was born 10
September 1810. In 1811 Dr. Jacob Burgess, a physician, and his wife, Mary,
a sister of Lucy, came from New Ashford. They spent the first winter with
Artemas and Lucy, before buying from them a six-acre tract covered with timber.
On 18 June 1812 Congress declared war on England and the orderly
development of the new community was interrupted. Artemus immediately volunteered
for service and, apparently, enlisted three different times during the conflict.
Since, according to his pension application dated 4 October 1871, his discharge
papers were "lost or destroyed by my children", we are left to depend on
his memory and the rather scanty War Department records for information concerning
his service. Perhaps the best we can do is accept the decision of the Bounty
Land Division, State of New York, when Artemas applied for a land bounty rewarding
his service in the War. The examiner accepted the testimony of two comrades
and that Artemas served nine and one-half months under Capt. Howard and two
months in 1813 and 1814 under Capt. Tubbs. His service record shows a third
enlistment from 1 August to 26 -September in 1814, again under Capt. Tubbs.
If these dates are accurate and if Artemas' memory is correct, he
spent the first few months of the War guarding the frontier along the shore
of Lake Erie, particularly in the vicinity of Cattaraugus Creek and Silver
Creek in Chautauqua County, from threatened invasion by the British and Indians.
During this period he obviously spent some time with his family, since a son,
William was born 17 May 1813. Although he made no mention of battles in which
he may have fought, his service coincided with some of the major action around
Buffalo, situated less than 50 miles from Silver Creek. The Battle of Queenston
Heights was fought 13 October 1812 when American forces made an unsuccessful
attempt to invade Canada near Niagara Falls. During his second
enlistment, the British captured Fort Niagara on 19 December 1813 and, along
with their Indian allies, sacked and burned Buffalo. However,
since, he made no mention of these battles, it is likely he was not a participant.
For his service, Artemas received a land bounty of 160 acres from the State
of New York, a pension of $8.00 per month late in his life, and was awarded
$80.50 from the state for "clothing and equipment which were depreciated,
worn out, lost and destroyed..." during his service in the Militia.
A historical pageant held in Silver Creek on 1 June 1948, gave a
special tribute to the heroic women who were left at home while their husbands
were engaged in the War:
"They were the pioneer women who, alone in the wilderness, faced the
long days of hardship and anxiety, the long nights of danger from Indians,
with their sleep broken ever by the wolves' hungry howls. They suffered additional
privation and want with the war close at hand. With the burning of Buffalo-and
the Battle of Lake Erie it was practically on their doorsteps.
But their courage never failed them. They had their babies, fed their
families, preserved their primitive homes for their soldier husbands to return
to, and laid the foundation for the community which was to come.
Lucy Clothier was on the honor roll of these brave women, taking
care of three children, all under the age of six, while Artemas was fighting
for their country. "
After the war, Artemas continued to expand his family, enhance the
family holdings and his standing in the community. He was named Inspector
of Schools, and according to History of Chautauqua County, New York, he
bought additional land in Silver Creek, making him one of the largest landholders
in the community. The book referred to him as a "farmer and surveyor". On
26 September 1815, Hamilton, a third son and fourth child was born to Lucy
and Artemas. The following year, Norman Spink, cousin and partner in their
earlier land clearing venture, along with his wife, returned to Silver Creek.
Incidentally, Hamilton and the Spink's oldest daughter, Elizabeth,
later married and expanded the agricultural enterprises initiated by Artemas.
The History of the Methodist Church in Silver Creek, New York,
identified Clothier and Spink as "Methodists from New England (who)made it
a practice in this new wilderness to meet together in worship every Sabbath
thus forming a nucleus for the first Methodist class which would be formed
in this settlement in the future". This class was organized as the Methodist
Episcopal Church about 1819.
In the meantime the family of Lucy and Artemas continued to expand.
Chancy was born 25 December 1818; Esther, on 6 February 1820; and Samantha,
on 11 May 1822. Twins were born in 1824, but died at birth or shortly thereafter.
Tragedy struck the family on 1 July 1826 when Lucy was taken from
them, apparently in childbirth, leaving Artemas to care for seven children.
Probably the major burden for the children's care fell on Eliza, who was
16 at the time. The Burgess and Spink families undoubtedly provided additional
support. A little more than a year after Lucy's death, Artemas returned to
Massachusetts and, in September, 1827, married Lucy Sherwood of Williamstown,
daughter of Jonathan and Martha Sherwood.
No children was born to this union and little is known of the second
Lucy, Since Williamstown and Hancock are adjoining towns in Massachusetts
and the Sherwoods were listed in the Federal Census as early as 1790, the
two families were probably acquainted when Artemas and Lucy were growing
up. Otherwise, it would seem a bit unusual for him to travel across the entire
state of New York to meet and court a complete stranger. The only glimpse
we have of the marriage came after Lucy's death on 7 April 1831, whereupon
Artemas was appointed administrator of his late wife's estate.
On 4 February 1832 Artemas filed the following petition with the
Probate Court of Berkshire County, Massachusetts
"To the Hon. William P. Walker, Judge of Probate within and for the
County of Berkshire:
The petition and complaint of Artemus R. Clothier of Hamilton, in
the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, Administrator of the estate
of Lucy Clothier, late of said Hamilton & formerly of Williamstown in
said County of Berkshire, deceased
Respectfully Represents and Complains on oath that he has a good
cause to suspect & does suspect that Melissa Sherwood & John P. Jordan
both of said Williamstown, have concealed & embezzled or carried away
goods, chattels & money, part of the estate of said deceased.
He therefore prays that the said Melissa Sherwood and John P. Jordan
may be summoned before your Honor, to be examined concerning the premises
& dealt with as the law provides.
Dated at Pittsfield in said County on the fourth day of February,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
"
The petition was granted and the defendants were called before the
court in April 1832. From the nature of the interrogation it appears personal
property belonging to Lucy was in the possession of her sister, Melissa.
These items might possibly have been personal effects and household furnishings
which Lucy was unable to take with her when she returned with Artemas to
New York. Melissa's defense was that Lucy had given them to her without reservation
because she didn't want her husband to have them. However, a second complaint
involved three loans totaling $485.00, made to local men including Mr. Jordan,
which were made before the marriage and which came due after Lucy left for
Silver Creek. With Lucy in New York, Melissa apparently collected on the notes,
gave some of the money to Mr. Jordan in the form of another loan, and kept
the rest of the money. Mr. Jordan acknowledged receiving money from Melissa,
but denied attempting to defraud Lucy.
Unfortunately, the final pages of the hearing were not found among
the records; therefore, we are unable to report the outcome of the proceedings.
It may seem $485.00 was a small sum to quibble over until we realize it represented
three years income for a common laborer at that time.
On 8 December 1833, Artemas married for the third time. His bride
was Mary Montgomery Harris, a 37 year-old widow with a four year-old boy.
A daughter, Cordelia Anne, was born 27 March 1835; and 11 months later, Mary
Lucy arrived on 10 March 1836, making a combined family of 10 children. According
to the 19 November 1936 issue of the Silver Creek News-Times", Mary "was
affectionately known as "Aunt Polly Clothier" (who) first married William
Harris of Westfield and after his death returned to Silver Creek.
Artemas and "Aunt Polly" lived out their lives in the Silver Creek
community as respected citizens. He continued to extend his land holdings
and served the community in various capacities. His father, Jesse, came to
live with the family in 1835 and remained with them until his death about
1850. His son, William, who enlisted in Union Army when he was nearly 50
years of age and father of four children, was killed near Brashear City,
Louisiana on 5 June 1863. On 28 February 1879 at the age of 92, Artemas died
peacefully at his home in Silver Creek. His wife survived for a few years,
dying sometime after 1880.
The funeral service for Artemas was conducted by his nephew, the
Rev. Chalon Burgess. Excerpts from his sermon, printed in the "Silver
Creek Local" on 7 March 1879, provide an intimate picture of this courageous
pioneer's life.
"... The one whom we carry to the grave today has run a long career.
It is very seldom any of our race in these modern times attain such an age.
He lacked less than eight years of a full century, having entered on his
ninety-third year last September. His life extended to within a decade of
the declaration of independence. He was a
growing child under the presidency of Washington and quite a youth
when that great patriot and hero died...
... Artemus R. Clothier was born in New Ashford, Mass., Sept 14,
1787, and was married to Miss Lucy Tyler of the same place in 1807. He came
to Silver Creek in 1809 or 1810, and from Young's History of Chautauqua
County, he would seem to have articled land in this town several years earlier.
His wife dying in 1826, he married Miss Lucy Sherwood of Berkshire Co., Mass.,
who was also called away by death within a few years and in 1833 he was married
to his third wife, Miss Mary Montgomery Harris ' who survives him after a
union of about 46 years. Of eleven or twelve children, eight survive. Coming
to Silver Creek when there was scarcely any settlement - there being only
about half a dozen families in what is the present corporation - he was among
the very earliest pioneers, and became quite a land owner, owning at one
time a large part of the land lying on both sides of what is known as Main
Street.
.... Mr. Clothier served in the war of 1812, and consequently has
for many years enjoyed a pension. He was one of the earliest members of a
Methodist class established here in 1819, and seems to have been characterized
in those early years by much activity and zeal. His religious preferences
were strong, his likes and dislikes were decided, yet he could lend a helping
hand to other churches besides his own. For instance, he felled the first
tree used in the frame of this Presbyterian Church in which we now meet.
He had a very resolute will and I remember hearing his say that he thought
it largely within a man's own control whether he should be' bent over out
of the perpendicular by the infirmities of advancing y I ears. His own erect
attitude in advanced years may have been due partly to such a determination,
though probably more to his extremely temperate habits and judicious exercise.
Cut off by deafness and other infirmities from the public means of grace
during these late years, a great portion of his time has been spent, I am
told, in reading the Bible and other religious books.
.... A short time before his death, being quite restless, he said,
"0, that I could lie down and breathe my life out sweetly there." and about
six o'clock on Friday night, having just been moved a little in bed so that
he expressed himself as lying quite easy, he departed almost instantly without
a struggle, like a child falling to sleep in his mother's arm...
"
It is interesting to note the Rev. Burgess ascribed to Artemas certain
character traits stiII prominent in many Clothier men of today; although
rather than having "strong preferences", decided likes and dislikes", and
a resolute will", our wives and children describe us as being "stubborn",
"narrow-minded", and " arrogant". Perhaps, when our funeral sermons
are given, these judgments will also be softened.
NEW CLOTHIER CONNECTIONS
In the fall of 1999, while searching in the genealogy section of a
Ft. Wayne, Indiana, library for clues to her Clothier ancestors, Harriet
Clothier Lewellen came across the name of Homer Clothier from Hutchinson,
Kansas. She wrote to him and his widow, Frieda, responded to the note. Several
letters and phone calls were exchanged before Harriet and her 90-year old
mother, Lillian, wrote to me last summer. As a result, we can now add the
numerous descendants of William Lawrence Clothier to our list of known family
members in the Chancy Clothier line.
William was the oldest son of Newton Sherman and Sarah Alice Clothier.
We knew he came to Kansas with his mother in 1874, married Alice Broom in
1887 and, after her death, moved from the Peace Creek community leaving no
record of his whereabouts. Fortunately he gave a detailed account of his
movements to Roy, his oldest son and husband of Lillian. This outline, along
with the names and birth dates of his children added in parenthesis, is reproduced
below:
Born in a log house on Bear Creek near West Point, Mo., on May 25,
1866
Left home 1875 at age 9 and lived with his Uncle Millard Clothier
- Reno County, Kansas and Stafford, Kansas.
In 1885 at age 19 went to Oklahoma and worked for Cousin Nathan Hall
in a commissary and drove mule team between the territory and Grand Island,
Nebraska for 3 months.
Was in the Cherokee Strip opening.
Married in Hutchinson, Kansas on October 22, 1887 at age 21 to Alice
Broom age 20. (Alice died 1888)
1889 age 23 yrs Moved to Bucklin, Kansas. Carpenter, railroad car
inspector, and air inspector. Harvest and farm hand.
Married in Greensburg, Kansas on March 9, 1898 at age of 32, to Hattie
Montissa Allphine.
Mae Amanda born in Greensburg 17 September 1900
1902 to 1906 proved up on government claim 3 1/2 miles North West
of Beaver City, Oklahoma.
Roy Virgil born 8 December 1902; Lois Leona, 28 February 1905; and
Cecil Newton, 11 October 1906; all in Beaver, Oklahoma
1905 - 1906 - 1907 - carried U.S. Mail from Beaver City, Okla. to
1/2way to Mead, Kansas.
1906 - Bought a restaurant in Beaver City, Oklahoma
1908 - Moved to Mead, Kansas. Carried mail from Mead, Kansas to 1/2
way to Beaver City, Oklahoma.
1908 - In August - Moved to Greensburg, Kansas - worked for Rock
Island Railroad.
Henry William born 14 September 1908 in Greensburg
1910 - Moved to Minneola, Kansas - Rock Island Railroad.
Joseph Leonard born 18 August 1910 in Minneola
1911 - March - Moved to Dodge City, Kansas - worked for Santa Fe
Railroad.
1912 - June - St. John, Kansas - Harvest.
1912 - November - Moved to Sidney, Nebraska - Union Pacific Railroad.
Opal Irene born 13 June 1914 in Sidney
1916 - Lead, South Dakota.
1917 - Deadwood, South Dakota - Railroad.
Georgia born 18 June 1917, Deadwood
1918 - June - Edgemont, South Dakota Burlington Railroad.
Elwood Lawrence born 20 December 1919 in Edgemont
1920 - August - Hudson, Wisconsin.
Bethine Alice born 25 April 1923 in Hudson
William's account ended with the move to Hudson, however Lillian
completed the account of his travels:
"They moved to Austin, Minnesota in 1925 and from there to Leyden
and to Beloit, Wisconsin, I think, and then to Oklahoma before coming back
to Hudson, Wisconsin in 1933 ... They moved from there to the Ozarks, I believe
it was, where their daughter Mae and her husband lived at the time, and eventually
they all moved to California. William and Hattie lived in Modesto, Riverbank
and eventually in Ceres, California, where William died September 18, 1949
and Harriet (Hattie) died April 18,1950. "
We are also indebted to Lillian for another bit of Clothier lore.
Her husband, Roy, was a country and western singer on the radio, using the
name "Little Joe the Wrangler". He sang on a number of radio and television
stations, including station KFH in Wichita, Kansas. Thanks to her, Harriet
and Frieda, we've managed to add another fascinating chapter to the Clothier
chronicles.
PASSAGES
BIRTHS:
Darren Lee Clatterbuck, born 28 September 2000 to
John and Mariah Clatterbuck. Grandparents are Tom and Laurie Cassidy, great-grand
mother is Bonnie Patterson, and great-great-grand mother is Freda Werner.
DEATHS:
A. Bernard Passmore, age 83 died 21 January 2001 at Vernon,
TX. He was an educator in the Vernon Independent School District for over
40 years and an elder and minister of the Wilberger Street Church of Christ.
Jim Edwin James, age 41, grandson of Helen Clothier James Johnson;
(Harry) on 8 April 2001 after an extended battle with cancer in Houston,
TX
RECOGNITION:
Terry Clothier Thompson has published two quilt pattern booklets
with unique themes. Made in America, 1776 - 1830; Quilts by the Daughters
of Liberty; and Prairie Quilts and Pioneer Stories, 1874 - 1890. The
latter booklet combines pioneer stories of Terry's ancestors with quilt patterns
of the period. It is the first in a three-book series honoring her great
- grandmother, Anna Elizabeth Marshall Clothier. Hopefully she will have
copies available at the Family Reunion on May 26. For further information,
contact her at: Terytmpsn@aol.com
Dave Clothier (Grant) is recognized along with his father-in-law,
Larry Galbreath, with a cover picture and feature story in the Kansas City
edition of Builder/Architect magazine. Galbreath/Clothier
Homes is recognized for building "Quality homes in most of the prestigious
neighborhoods in Johnson County, Kansas".
OVER 90 CLUB:
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Wilbur Clothier (Ambrose) who celebrated his 91st birthday on
11 February 2001. He is reported to be "living alone and doing OK".